Adamu Garba, a former presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has petitioned the Federal Government of Nigeria, asking it to shut down Twitter In Nigeria.
The pedestal of Adamu’s petition is stopping the microblogging platform from operating in any part of the country.
The former APC presidential aspirant, who joined the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the suit, also asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to award a US$1 billion fine on the microblogging platform.
The gravamen of his complaint is anchored on what he said was loss of lives and property and for which he is pressing for compensation.
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He accused Jack Dorsey, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Twitter in the petition of gross abuse of privilege.
He asserted that the Twitter CEO deployed his platform in instigating a protest he said had now resulted in a breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.
“Here’s the motion on notice for a fine of $1Bn dollars in favour of Federal Republic of Nigeria, as a compensation for loss of lives, property & convenience as a result [of] your active support for funding of #EndSARS after the issues had been attended to by the Government.
“You have violated the international principles of nationhood & democracy, by meddling in our local affairs, knowing full well that this is capable of toppling the democratically-elected government of the day, slowing us down from progress on our hard-earned democracy journey.
“I trust that the Federal High Court of Nigeria will serve you the motion accordingly. You should get ready and pay the fine as a compensation once you receive the motion accordingly. See you in court Thank you,” Adamu Garba posted via Twitter on Tuesday.
Also joined in the suit are the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney General of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Security Services, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the #EndSARS protesters.
NAN further reports that Garba, in the suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1391/2020 filed by his Lawyer, Abbas Ajiya, urged the court to direct Mr Dorsey to stop the operation of Twitter International Company in any part of Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case has yet to be assigned to a judge.
Also joined as respondents are Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Director General of Department of State Service, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps; Nigeria Communication Commission, Jack Dorsey, Twitter International Company and the #ENDSARS Protesters as 2nd to 10th respondents respectively.
Garba, who is the CEO of IPI Group Limited, said the suit was filed to enforce his fundamental rights pursuant to Provisions of Order II Rules 1, 2, and 3 of the Fundamental Rights Rules 2009, Sections 34(1), 35(1), 41(1), 43 and 46(1) and 2 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s’ Rights Act CAP. A9, LFN 2004.
The applicant sought the court “DECLARATION THAT the mode of sponsorship and protest of the ENDSARS protest by the 8th to 10th Respondents is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the Applicant’s fundamental right to liberty, dignity of human person, freedom of movement and economic right guaranteed and protected under Sections 34(1), 35(1), 41(1) and 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended).
“A DECLARATION THAT the 1St to 6th Respondents have the constitutional and statutory duties to protect lives and property of citizens and ensure the existence of peace and order in any part of the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as provided under Section 5(1)(a) & (b) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1990 (as Amended)
“AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining the 8th to 10th Respondents whether by themselves or by their officers, agents, servants, privies and/or otherwise however called from further sponsoring and staging the ENDSARS Protest or any protest in any other manner, howsoever described that infringes on the Fundamental Rights of the Applicant (Adamu Garba) as guaranteed by Section, 34(1), 35 (1) and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. A9, 2004.
“AN ORDER of this Hon. Court directing the 1St to 6th Respondents to take measures to stop the 8th to 10th Respondents from further sponsoring and carrying out the ENDSARS Protest using force that is reasonably appropriate in the circumstance of the Protest.
“AN ORDER Directing the 7th Respondent to stop the operation of Twitter Int’i Company in any part of the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“AN ORDER directing the 8th and 9‘h Respondents jointly to pay the Applicant the sum of 61 Billion USD (One Billion US Dollars) as damages.”(NAN)
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